There are a number of leadership and organizational competencies that must be in place to enable an organization to adopt and institutionalize adaptability, or what some would call “organizational agility.” But simply internalizing these concepts is not getting the job done, and understanding the approach isn’t sufficient. Beyond knowing what to do, we also need to know how and when to do it.
Let’s face it: In the project/program/portfolio management world, delivering real value seems to be the most elusive aspect of any PMO. And because of this, the PMO seems to be one of the first places organizational leaders look to “right-size” or “optimize,” reducing the impact and potential value PMOs might generate for their organizations.
We’re good at scrutinizing problems, but many project managers and business analysts could do a better job of fostering positive change and improving future results by giving more attention to the “bright spots” on projects — those flashes of success that often go unnoticed when other things go wrong.
Firmly established as a distinct discipline that can deliver real value and benefits to companies, both in the short-term and for the long haul, project portfolio management enters 2009 with momentum. But many challenges and changes are on the horizon. Here, a leading PPM analyst shares his thoughts and predictions.